Pakistan

Mukhtaran Mai case: Munter expresses disappointment over verdict

"The government should ensure the security of Mukhtaran Mai...violating the sanctity of a woman is a sordid act."

Express April 28, 2011

QUETTA: US ambassador Cameron Munter on Thursday expressed disappointment over the acquittal of the accused in Mukhtaran Mai's gang rape case.

"The government should ensure the security of Mukhtaran Mai as the Supreme Court said that violating the sanctity and chastity of a woman is a sordid , despicable and squalid act which is considered abhorrent in any civilized society" Munter said in a statement issued by the US embassy.

"I admire her courage for speaking up about the crime."

Munter also appreciated Mai's commitment to her work, inspiring and educating Pakistani women about their fundamental rights.

Visit to Balochistan

The American Ambassador also earlier called on the Speaker of the Balochistan Assembly, Muhammad Aslam Bhotani in Quetta. The leaders of the parliamentary parties in the Balochistan Assembly were also present on the occasion. Various matters including the political situation of Balochistan came under discussion during the meeting.

Speaking to the media, Munter said the US will provide funds for the improvement of health and education in Balochistan.

This is a maiden visit of Munter to Quetta after his appointment as US ambassador in Pakistan. He is expected to meet government officials and political leaders during his stay in Quetta.

COMMENTS (14)

Rebecca Stevens | 13 years ago | Reply Women are half of humanity. We deserve to be able to live in safety and with dignity. I grieve, Ms. Mai, for what happened and I applaud your courage.

MAS | 13 years ago | Reply second wife of a local constable mukhtar mai is a big big fraud. pls read details in daily ausaf of april 29, 2011. according to paper, her brother is involved in water theft in muzaffargarh.

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Impartial | 13 years ago | Reply I m shocked by these comments ! Everyone is focusing on the "who" is saying it while the actual facts of what are completely sidelined !! If u want to oppose the atrocities of American war, or violation of our borders by US drones please do so and i am with you on it. But please DO NOT do it HERE by degrading the speaker here you are also discrediting what is being said. Also please do not match the Unlike! Afia's matter is not that of a Gang Rape by her own people ! in front of her life long peers and family !.

Nazir Habib | 13 years ago | Reply Munter go home and mind your CIA affairs. Useless American.

Mohammad Ali Siddiqui | 13 years ago | Reply People in Pakistan are not only disappointed but uncounted innocent people are killed due to drone attacks. Why didn’t the US Ambassador shows disappointment on US drone attacks and apologise to the bereaved families on behalf of the US government and pay compensation to the legal heirs of the victims. The government and people of Pakistan know very well that US has a double face. We are simple and straight people and therefore we speak in plain words. US Ambassador should think to live above than “diplomacy” which a very wicked word in English language.

NB | 13 years ago | Reply We bury our women alive, because it is our culture. We slaughter them, cut their noses, throw acid on them and get away with it. We gangrape women like Mai, because we are ordered by our village councils. And village councils are a part of our culture. Aafia was married to an Al-Qaida operative, was caught with details of dirty bomb and tried to shoot some Americans during her vacation in Afghanistan. So what, she is totally inncoent, just as our ISI is. So Mr. Munter, just give us the money and please don´t critisize our culture and nature.

Cautious | 13 years ago | Reply MMM -- all the whining about Aafia only confirms my belief that objective evidence doesn't matter much when faced with an opportunity to demonstrate xenophobic behavior. In case you didn't know it - in the USA Aafia had a million dollar defense team - was shredded on the witness stand and proven a bold face liar - and convicted of a crime. In the Mukhtara Mai case the rapist didn't need an expensive defense team - they were men and apparently entitled to rape a women - your courts let them off scott free.

Nasrullah Khan | 13 years ago | Reply Why is it when someone makes a statement which is valid for Pakistan, we immediately pounce on him for his wrongs rather than admit that the statement is valid.

MAS | 13 years ago | Reply Munter should be declared persona non grata by Pakistan and the Supreme Court of Pakistan should also issue him contempt notice. He should be taught how to behave.

Amer | 13 years ago | Reply Munter forgot Aafia’s verdict who got 86 years without harming an insect.People like Munter should be restricted to Islamabad. He has not business visiting anywhere else and commenting on cout verdicts etc.

Faisal | 13 years ago | Reply I am also disappointed, none of your business btw.

haroon | 13 years ago | Reply Perhaps he forgot Aafia's verdict. Without killing a person, got 86 years. Where are women's rights in that case. She is the mother of children. Without mudering anyone, prisoned. Pakistan does not need such a judicial system which decides the cases on diplomatic grounds but the one based on evidence.

sashayub | 13 years ago | Reply ...its an internal matter Muenter....keep your nose as well as your disappointing comments out of pakistan's internal matters....we are also disappointed by drone strikes...what do you say to that?

Chilli | 13 years ago | Reply By the way..Why you can only see Mukhtara Mai while you humiliated Afia Siddiqui under your nose. US nonsense is beyond explanation. They are two faced for us and will remain forever like this. Mr. Munter should help in releasing Afia Siddiqui who was punished by a more biased court in US without any evidence and proof. He deserve pat on his back to give such a statement when their record too is pathetic.

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